Vice News journalists back in UK after release from Turkish prison
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Version 0 of 1. Two British journalists arrested in Turkey on terror charges are in “good health and spirits” after arriving back in the UK, their employer Vice News said. Jake Hanrahan and cameraman Philip Pendlebury were detained while filming clashes between police and youth members of the pro-Kurdistan Workers’ party (PKK) on 27 August. They were accused of working on behalf of a terrorist organisation and assisting Islamic State before they were released on Thursday. Related: UK raises human rights concerns over Vice News journalists arrested in Turkey Vice News confirmed the pair had returned to Britain but they remained “extremely concerned” for their Turkish-based colleague Mohammed Ismael Rasool, who is still in custody. The company said: “Vice News is pleased to confirm two of our journalists, Jake Hanrahan and Philip Pendlebury, have been released from a Turkish prison and have returned to the UK. “Both are in good health and spirits, but they – and everyone else at Vice News – remain extremely concerned for our third colleague, Mohammed Ismael Rasool, who is still being held. “We call on the Turkish authorities to continue their positive course of action in freeing Jake and Philip, and release Rasool immediately.” Before the two journalists were released, the Foreign Office said the UK expected Turkey to allow freedom of expression. A spokesman said: “Respect for freedom of expression and the right of media to operate without restriction are fundamental in any democratic society. Related: Turkey arrests more journalists, alleging 'terrorist' links to Erdoğan opponent “Turkey is a state party to the European convention on human rights and UN declaration of human rights. We would expect the Turkish authorities to uphold the obligations enshrined in those agreements.” Pendlebury, 30, from Wigan, has filmed in countries including Iraq, Afghanistan and North Korea, while Hanrahan has also written for the Guardian, the Independent, Wired and Rolling Stone Middle East. Pendlebury’s sister Alex said on social media that the allegations against her brother were “ludicrous”. She posted on Facebook: “I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am. This has been the most difficult week of our lives but now the nightmare is over!” |